MCALLEN, TEXAS - The NBA D-League Rio Grande Valley Vipers announced today that they will open the 2009-10 season on Friday, November 29 at 7:30 p.m. CT when they travel to play the Austin Toros at the Austin Convention Center.

The Vipers’ home opener is on Friday, December 4 against the Tulsa 66ers at 7:30 p.m. at Dodge Arena. It will be the first of 24 home games at Dodge Arena. Games will start at 7:30 p.m., with the exception of Sunday games, which start at 5:00 p.m., and the kids day game which starts at 11:00 a.m.

The Vipers play six home games in December, five in January, five in February and six in March before closing out the season with home games on April 2 and 3 against the Dakota Wizards.

“We can’t wait for the season to start. We hope to build on the momentum we showed at the end of last year with sell-out crowds to welcome in the new season. We’ll have more great family-affordable entertainment and half-time shows plus a high-quality brand of basketball in no small part because of our direct affiliation with the Rockets,” Vipers President/GM Brian Michael Cooper said.

The Vipers will also take part in 2010 NBA D-League Showcase from January 4-thorugh-7 at Qwest Arena in Boise, Idaho.

Also highlighting the 2009-10 NBA D-League Schedule is the All-Star Game and Dream Factory which is part of NBA Jam Session presented by Adidas at NBA All-Star 2010 in Dallas. Last year, Ernest Scott represented the Vipers in the three-point shoot-out.

Vipers season tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the Vipers at (956) 972-1144 or by visiting the Vipers Pro-Shop in Uptown Plaza on N. 10th St. in McAllen. Purchasing Vipers season tickets is the only way to purchase seats for the Houston Rockets-Boston Celtics game at Dodge Arena on October 7, as the game is sold out to the general public. It is also the only way to get guaranteed admission to Rockets Training Camp at the McAllen Convention Center October 3-through-5.

The first 34 fans to purchase Vipers season tickets at tonight’s 7:05 p.m. Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings baseball game at Harlingen Field will also get free admission to the exclusive Rockets autograph session during training camp.

“Sixteen of our home games will be on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday, making it easier for families to come out to have a memorable time,” Cooper said.

For the first time, the NBA D-League will feature two conferences. The Vipers will play in the Western Conference with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, Toros, Bakersfield Jam, Los Angeles D-Fenders, Idaho Stampede, Reno Bighorns, 66ers and Utah Flash.

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